biology and biotechnology

BURNING AND SUPPRESSION OF SOLIDS (BASS)

Research Area: Combustion Science

Expedition(s): 29-ongoing

Principal Investigator(s): ● Paul V. Ferkul, PhD, National Center for Space Exploration

Research, Cleveland, Ohio

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) investigation examines the burning and extinction
characteristics of a wide variety of fuel samples in microgravity. BASS experiment will guide
strategies for extinguishing accidental fires in microgravity. BASS results contribute to the
combustion computational models used in the design of fire detection and suppression systems
in microgravity and on Earth.

EARTH BENEFITS

BASS results provide essential guidance to ground-based microgravity combustion research

efforts. Detailed combustion models are validated using the simpler flow environment afforded

by tests in microgravity. Once validated, they can be used to build more complex combustion

models needed to capture the important details of flames burning in normal gravity. These

models have wide applicability to the general understanding of many terrestrial combustion

problems.

SPACE BENEFITS

The current NASA spacecraft materials selection is

based on a standard test method that segregates

material based on 1-g behavior without

consideration of low-gravity effects. A critical

element of this understanding is the radiative heat

emission from the flame. These results are used in

first-order models and predictions of heat release in

spacecraft fires and as a means to extend heat

release data from tests like the NASA cone

calorimeter test to a performance-based material

selection process. Using nitrogen as a flame

suppressant in microgravity provides a direct link to

current and planned extinguishment techniques.

RESULTS

Flat cotton-fiberglass fabric samples were burned in long-duration microgravity tests aboard

the International Space Station (ISS). The samples were burned with airflow in the same

direction and in the opposite direction of the flame. The custom-made fabric performed very

well, with none of the complications caused by the burnout of ordinary cellulosic fuel samples

like paper. The main influencing factor was airflow speed and it had a major effect on the flame

Comparison of 0-g and 1-g flames in opposed

flow. Image sequences shows flames spreading

from top down. National Center for Space

Exploration Research image, Cleveland, Ohio.